Hop plant named &#39;HBC 291&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new hop plant named ‘HBC 291’ is disclosed. The cones of ‘HBC 291’ mature in mid September, and yield a crop of 2000 to 2400 pounds per acre. ‘HBC 291’ is used for its unique aromatic and flavor qualities, high alpha acid content and exceptional yield.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of co-pending provisional applicationSer. No. 61/462,788.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

GENUS AND SPECIES

Humulus lupulus

VARIETY DENOMINATION

HBC 291

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

‘HBC 291’ is a product of a controlled breeding program carried out bythe inventors in the Yakima Valley of Washington state. ‘HBC 291’ wasone of several seedlings resulting from a cross made in 2002 of femaleparent ‘Glacier’ (not patented) and male parent ‘HBC 9902(2) (notpatented). A single plant of ‘HBC 291’ was selected in 2003, and in 2004was expanded to 70 plants, which were planted in the area of Toppenish,Wash. The plants were observed and evaluated for several years, and in2009 were expanded for further observation and evaluation in theToppenish, Wash. area. A one acre test plot of ‘HBC 291’ was establishedin 2009. Throughout several generations of asexual propagation, ‘HBC291’ has been observed to retain its distinctive characteristics andremain true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

FIG. 1 illustrates a mature ‘HBC 291’ hop plant grown on a trellis;

FIG. 2. illustrates a hop cone of the ‘HBC 291’ hop plant; and

FIG. 3. illustrates a leaf of the ‘HBC 291’ hop plant.

The colors of these illustrations may vary with lighting conditions and,therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should bedetermined with reference to the observations described herein, ratherthan from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description is based on observations made during the 2011growing season at Toppenish, Wash. It should be understood that thecharacteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon culturalpractices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location andseason. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of individual plants of the newvariety. The measurements of any individual plant or any group ofplants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Species: Humulus lupulus    -   -   Ploidy.—Diploid.        -   Use.—Brewing.        -   Disease susceptibility.—‘HBC 291’ is not resistant to hop            downy mildew. ‘HBC 291’ is resistant to powdery mildew.        -   Pest susceptibility.—‘HBC 291’ is not resistant to normal            infestations of hop aphid and normal infestations of            two-spotted spider mite.        -   Harvest date.—September 10-16 (2006-2009, and 2011 growing            seasons, Toppenish, Wash.).        -   Crop yield.—2000 to 2400 pounds per acre.        -   Bine.—Color — Yellow green 145A Stipule direction — Reflexed            Stipule color — Yellow green 144B Stripe — Absent Bine            diameter — 10.0 mm at base; 9.0 mm at 9 feet; 8.0 mm at 18            feet.        -   Leaf.—Arrangement — Opposite Shape — Simple Average length            of mature leaf — 24.0 cm Average width of mature leaf — 19.0            cm Color of mature leaf upper surface — Yellow green 135A            Color of mature leaf lower surface — Green 135A Color of            immature leaf upper surface — Green 136A Color of immature            leaf lower surface — Green 136B Number of lobes — 5 Margin —            Lobed Serrate Serrations per inch — 4 Average petiole length            (mature) — 9.0 cm Petiole color at base — Yellow green 145A            Venation — Palmate Vein color — Yellow green 144C.        -   Cone.—Average Weight — 1030 mg Average length — 3.5 cm            Average diameter — 2.0 cm Bract tip color — Yellow green            143D Bract base color — Yellow green 143C Bracteole color —            Yellow green 149D Cone shape — Oblong Bract shape — Ovate            Bract tip shape — Cuspidate Bract tip position — Appressed            Bracteole shape — Acute Lupulin Gland Color — Yellow green            154B Pickability — Good Cone storage — 30% loss of soft            resins after 6 month storage at room temperature.        -   Analytical characteristics.—Alpha acid 10.0% to 12.0% Beta            acid 4.5% to 5.5% Cohumulone 21.0% to 23.0% Myrcene 37.0% to            39.0% Humulene 23.0% to 25.0% Caryophyllene 7.0% to 9.0%            Farnesene 0.6% to 0.8% Linalool 1.0% to 1.5% Geraniol 0.8%            to 1.1% Humulene/Caryophyllene Ratio 2.8% to 3.2% Total oil            1.5 to 2.5 mL per 100 g hops Storageability 70% to 72% alpha            acids remaining after 6 months storage at room temperature.

1. A new and distinct hop plant as shown and described herein.